What is on your first aid kit?
In case of aches and pains, allergic reactions or even a slight Medical emergencyDo you have the essential supplies?
Fox News Digital spoke with two experts: Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois, a Dallas-Fort Worth-based pharmacist, and Katy Dubinsky, a New York pharmacist and CEO and co-founder of Vitalize, a private supplement company, who identified the most important aspects important. Medical essentials that every home should have on hand.
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Here is a list of 9 key basics.
1. Painkillers
Common analgesics such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen and naproxen are important for treating headaches, relieving muscle aches, reducing inflammation and lowering fever, according to Bourgeois.
These are the nine most important medical essentials that every household should have on hand. (iStock)
“These are just essential medicine cabinet items,” he said.
2. Allergy medications
“Each allergy medication is designed to treat specific symptoms, so it's important to find the right over-the-counter medication to manage and relieve your allergy symptoms”said Burgués.
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Antihistamines such as Claritin, Allebgra, and Zyrtec can treat the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, which causes sneezing and itching.
A decongestant medication such as Sudafed or Afrin nasal spray treats congestion or headaches.
3. Cold, Cough, and Flu Medicines
It is important to choose your over-the-counter medication cold medication carefully, depending on the specific symptoms you're experiencing, according to Bourgeois.
“For example, to combat coughs, you should take dextromethorphan (Delsym or Robitussin),” he said.
Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois, PharmD, is a pharmacy and healthcare expert based in Dallas-Fort Worth. (Jennifer Bourgeois/SingleCare)
“For aches and fever, you'll want to take ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Cough drops are also medicine cabinet staples.”
Decongestants with pseudoephedrine can help relieve nasal congestion, he noted.
“For medications containing pseudoephedrine, you will need to access them through the pharmacy, as federal regulations require these medications to be stored behind the counter.”
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Combination medications can be helpful when multiple symptoms are experienced, but it is important to pay attention to the ingredients to avoid duplication.
“Sometimes a person may not benefit from all the ingredients in a combined product,” Bourgeois said.
“Combination products often contain paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain relief, and it is important that the patient does not take additional pain medications in addition to the combination product.”
4. Digestive aids
digestive aids They shouldn't be used regularly, Bourgeois said, but they are important in stomach-related times of need.
“Antacids to relieve heartburn (Tums or Rolaids), antidiarrheals (such as loperamide, i.e. Imodium) and laxatives (such as Dulcolax and Miralax) are essential items in the medicine cabinet,” he said.
Although digestive aids should not be used regularly, they are important in times of stomach-related need, one pharmacist said. (iStock)
“Pepto-Bismol is a great supplement for stomach problems as it can relieve heartburn, diarrhea, and nausea.”
5. Topical treatments
Topical treatments It's important to have medications like hydrocortisone on hand in case you experience a rash or insect bite, as they help reduce localized inflammation and itching, Bourgeois said.
“To help with dry, itchy skin or minor skin irritations, Aquaphor is another great product for your medicine cabinet as it helps hydrate the skin,” she added.
“And parents of babies and toddlers know that triple paste is a must-have for treating diaper rash and skin irritation.”
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According to Dubinsky, calamine lotion also helps soothe irritation caused by insect bites, rashes, or chickenpox.
“Antifungal creams such as clotrimazole and terbinafine are also useful in treating fungal infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm,” he added.
6. First aid supplies
“The quick and easy version of this is to buy a first aid kit,” Bourgeois said.
Experts recommend having a first aid kit at home and another in the car. (iStock)
For those who want to purchase a la carte, he recommends including adhesive bandages, large 4″ x 4″ gauze pads, a roll of gauze, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment to prevent infection (such as Neosporin), compression bandages, a cold compress, ointment of hydrocortisone (such as Cortisone 10), tweezers (for splinters and ticks), and a thermometer.
“I suggest having one of these kits in your house and one in your car,” Bourgeois said.
7. Safety and sun treatment
When selecting sunscreenBourgeois recommends opting for a broad-spectrum variety with an SPF of at least 30.
“Broad spectrum means it protects against UVA and UVB rays,” he noted.
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Mineral-based sunscreens, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are considered safe and provide a physical barrier that reflects UV rays, Bourgeois said.
Chemical sunscreens absorb ultraviolet radiation before it penetrates the skin.
When selecting sunscreen, one expert recommends opting for a broad-spectrum variety with an SPF of at least 30. (iStock)
“When you've had too much sun exposure, I recommend applying a moisturizer that contains aloe vera to help soothe sunburn and soothe irritation,” Bourgeois said.
“In addition to aloe vera, a cold compress can also help reduce swelling and relieve any discomfort.”
8. Neti-pot/saline rinse
Using a sinus rinse can help clear allergens and mucus from the nasal cavities, Bourgeois noted.
“Allergies increase mucus production as a mechanism to eliminate allergens, but excessive mucus production can build up in the sinus cavities, creating an environment for viruses and bacterial infections prosper,” he warned.
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“Washing the nasal cavity can help reduce allergy symptoms and eliminate possible infections.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published a practical guide showing proper technique and best practices.
9. Eye drops
According to Dubinsky, eye drops like Visine and Systane are a must for hydrating dry eyes or relieving redness.
Proper Storage and Disposal
When storing medications, it's important to keep them in a cool, dry place, away from heat and humidity, which can degrade their effectiveness, according to Dubinsky.
“Avoid storing them in the bathroom, where humidity is often high,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Regularly check expiration dates and safely discard expired medications,” one expert advised. “Expired medications can lose potency or become harmful.” (iStock)
“Most medications should be stored at room temperature, between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C),” Bourgeois noted.
Pharmacists recommend regularly checking the expiration dates on your prescriptions and safely discarding any that have passed their shelf life.
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“Expired medications can lose potency or become harmful,” Bourgeois warned.
It's also important to store medications in their original packaging to ensure you have access to expiration dates, dosing instructions and other important information, he added.
“While over-the-counter medications are safe and available for self-administration, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if a product is right for you.”
When disposing of expired medications, follow local guidelines.
“Many pharmacies offer take-back programs for unused medications,” Bourgeois said.
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Yes there are children at homeuse child-resistant containers and store medications out of reach.
“Consider a locked cabinet if necessary,” Bourgeois advised.
If there are children in the home, use child-proof containers and store medications out of their reach, experts advised. (iStock)
If you have any questions about which medications are safe and effective, it is best to consult with your doctor, experts agreed.
“While over-the-counter medications are safe and available for self-administration, it is best to consult with a Sanitary professional to determine if a product is right for you,” Bourgeois said.
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“This is particularly true if you have a chronic illness or take prescription medications, as there are some over-the-counter medications that may interact with your current prescription.”
When it comes to specific interactions and treatment indications, your pharmacist is a great resource, Bourgeois added.
